Velvet Revolver: Contraband (RCA). There are second chances in life, and then there's Velvet Revolver. This supergroup looks almost too good to be true on paper: Guns N' Roses vets Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, and former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland.

The pedigree and ingredients are obvious. But Weiland is going to be the real wild card, with his reputation as the Robert Downey Jr. of rock 'n' roll -- a phenomenal talent plagued by addictions. If Weiland can keep his act together, they could make a great racket. In stores May 18.

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